Quality of Websites about Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catrin Eriksson ◽  
Matilda Skinstad ◽  
Susanne Georgsson ◽  
Tommy Carlsson

BACKGROUND Long-acting reversible contraception are recommended for those who wish to prevent unintended pregnancies. Use of the Web for information about contraception is widespread, but there is a risk that patients come in contact with sources of low quality. OBJECTIVE The overarching aim was to investigate the quality of websites about long-acting reversible contraception. METHODS Swedish patient-oriented websites were identified through searches in Google (n=46 included websites). Reliability and information about treatment choices was assessed by two assessors with the DISCERN instrument, transparency was analyzed with the Journal of the Medical Association benchmarks, completeness was assessed with content analysis, and readability was analyzed with Readability Index. RESULTS The mean DISCERN was 44.1 (SD 7.7) for total score, 19.7 (SD 3.7) for reliability, 22.1 (SD 4.1) for information about treatment choices, and 2.3 (SD 1.1) for overall quality. A majority of the included websites had low quality concerning if it included information when the information was produced (87%), if it was clear which sources that were used to compile the publication (78%), and if it provided additional sources of support and information (66%). Less than half of the websites adhered to any of the JAMA benchmarks. We identified 23 categories of comprehensiveness. The most frequent was treatment mechanism, which was covered by 39 (85%) websites. The least frequent was when treatment may be initiated following an abortion, which was covered by 3 (7%) websites. Mean Readability Index was 42.5 (SD 6.3, Range 29-55) indicating moderate or difficult readability levels. CONCLUSIONS The quality of patient-oriented websites about long-acting reversible contraception is poor. There is an undeniable need to support and guide laypersons that intend to use web-based sources about contraceptive alternatives, so that they may reach informed decisions based on sufficient knowledge.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esam Halboub ◽  
Mohammed Sultan Al-Akhali ◽  
Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi ◽  
Mohammed Nasser Alhajj

Abstract Objective: The study sought to assess the quality and readability of the web-based Arabic health information on COVID-19. Methods: Selected search engines were searched on 13 April 2020 for specific Arabic terms on COVID-19. The first 100 consecutive websites from each engine were obtained. The quality of the websites was analyzed using the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and the DISCERN benchmarks instrument. The readability was assessed using an online readability calculator tool. Results: Overall, 36 websites were found eligible for quality and readability analyses. Only one website (2.7%) was HONcode certified. No single website attained a high score based on the DISCERN tool; the mean score of all websites was 31.5±12.55. Regarding JAMA benchmarks, a mean score of 2.08±1.05 was achieved by the websites; however, only 4 (11.1%) websites achieved all JAMA criteria. The average grade levels for readability were 7.2±7.5, 3.3±0.6 and 93.5±19.4 for Flesch Kincaid Grade level, SMOG, Flesch Reading Ease, respectively. Conclusion: Most of the available web-based Arabic health information on COVID-19 doesn’t have the required level of quality, irrespective of being easy to read and understand by most of the general people.


Author(s):  
F. Bellas ◽  
O. Fontenla-Romero ◽  
N. Sánchez-Maroño ◽  
J. A. Becerra

This chapter is devoted to the application of Web-based multimedia tools as a complement to traditional e-learning resources to improve the quality of teaching in two senses: adapting lesson contents to improving the understanding and increasing the motivation of the students. The authors present a set of practical tools that have achieved successful results in their courses and that, together, provide a more proactive teaching methodology based on interactive and mobile learning materials. These tools can be divided into two main groups: simulations and interactive videos, directly related to the process of studying, and quizzes and questionnaires, useful to adapt the teaching to the objective comprehension level. In addition, the authors point out the advantages of providing the students with more familiar multimedia materials suitable for being transported and consulted in mobile devices. A basic point of this methodology is that all these resources are available through a Web-based interface, so that the interaction does not depend on the physical presence of the students. Finally, the authors must point out that with their methodology they are focused on monitoring learning, which is achieved directly with online questionnaires, but they have also performed resource monitoring, in terms of degree of satisfaction and practical use. This is achieved, in this case, through the use of surveys and from the analysis of the statistics provided by the Web-based application.


Author(s):  
Marta Fernández de Arriba ◽  
Eugenia Díaz ◽  
Jesús Rodríguez Pérez

This chapter presents the structure of an index which serves as support so allowing the development team to create the specification of the context of use document for the development of Web applications, bearing in mind characteristics of usability and accessibility, each point of the index being explained in detail. A correct preparation of this document ensures the quality of the developed Web applications. The international rules and standards related to the identification of the context of use have been taken into account. Also, the functionality limitations (sensorial, physical, or cognitive) which affect access to the Web are described, as well as the technological environment used by disabled people (assistive technologies or alternative browsers) to facilitate their access to the Web content. Therefore, following the developed specification of the context of use, usable and accessible Web applications with their corresponding benefits can be created.


2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 704-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad G. Fakih ◽  
Iram Enayet ◽  
Steven Minnick ◽  
Louis D. Saravolatz

Objective.To evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based course on infection control accessed by physicians in training.Design.Educational intervention.Setting.A 607-bed urban teaching hospital.Participants.A total of 55 physicians in training beginning their first postgraduate year (the iPGYl group) and 59 physicians completing their first, second, or third postgraduate year (the oPGY group).Intervention.Individuals in the iPGYl group took a Web-based course on infection control practices.Measurements.Persons in the iPGYl group who took the Web-based course completed an evaluation test consisting of 15 multiple-choice questions (total possible score, 15 points). The same test was given to persons in the oPGY group, who did not take the Web-based course. We compared scores of the Web-based test taken by subjects in the iPGYl group immediately after the course with scores of the test they took 3 months after the course and with test scores of subjects in the oPGY group.Results.The mean score (±SD) for subjects in the iPGYl group who took the Web-based course was 10.6 ± 2.2, compared with 8.0 ± 2.5 for subjects in the oPGY group (P<.001). The mean score (±SD) for subjects in the iPGYl group 3 months after completing the course decreased to 8.0 ± 2.4 (P< .001 by the paired f test). For the oPGY group, significant differences were found between the scores (±SD) for subjects in the internal medicine (9.9 ± 2.3), emergency medicine (8.4 ± 1.7), pediatrics (7.0 ± 1.7), and family medicine (5.8 ± 1.6) residency programs (P< .001); there were no significant differences in scores according to the year of residency.Conclusions.Web-based infection control courses are an attractive teaching tool for physicians in training and need to be considered for teaching infection control. The evaluation of information retention will help identify physicians in training who require further training.


10.2196/13808 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e13808
Author(s):  
Jun-Hao Lim ◽  
Cordelia-Kheng-May Lim ◽  
Imliya Ibrahim ◽  
Jazlina Syahrul ◽  
Mohd Hazli Mohamed Zabil ◽  
...  

Background With the unprecedented growth of mobile technology, a plethora of dialysis diet apps have been developed to promote patient dietary self-management. Nevertheless, the utility of such apps remains questionable. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the content, features, and quality of commercial dialysis diet apps for adult dialysis patients. Methods This study consisted of a quantitative content analysis of commercial dialysis diet apps downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store available in the Asian marketplace, searched for using the following keywords in English: dialysis diet and diet for kidney disease. Free and paid apps available in English that provide nutrition information for adult dialysis patients were included. Apps that were not relevant to the dialysis diet, not meant for patient self-management, or redundant were excluded. Apps were evaluated for language medium (subscore=1), credibility (subscore=1), food database (subscore=1), valuable features (subscore=12), health-behavior theory constructs (subscore=60), and technical quality (subscore=25). The relationships among the variables of interest were determined by Pearson correlation. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the features that contribute to greater technical quality of dialysis diet apps. Statistical significance was defined as P<.05. Results A total of 22 out of 253 apps (8.7%) were eligible for evaluation. Based on a 100-point scale, the mean overall score of the apps was 31.30 (SD 14.28). Only 5% (1/22) of the apps offered relevant language options, and 46% (10/22) contained food databases. In addition, 54% (12/22) of the apps were not credible. The mean score for valuable features was 3.45 (SD 1.63) out of 12, in which general education (16/22, 73%), free download (15/22, 68%), and usability (13/22, 59%) were the three most popular features. However, the apps scored a mean of 13.41 (SD 11.56) out of 60 for health-behavior theory constructs. The overall app technical quality was considered poor, with a mean score of 2.70 (SD 0.41) out of 5. The scores of valuable features (r=.65, P=.001) and health-behavior theory constructs (r=.55, P=.009) were positively correlated with the overall technical quality of the commercial dialysis diet apps. Features such as free download (β=.43, P=.03) and usability (β=.41, P=.03) could significantly determine the functional quality of the apps. Health-behavior theory constructs such as self-monitoring could significantly predict both the subjective quality (β=.55, P=.008) and the engagement quality (β=.66, P=.001) of the apps, whereas the information quality domain could be determined by plan or orders (β=.48, P=.007) and knowledge (β=.45, P=.01). Conclusions Although most of the available commercial dialysis diet apps are free and easy to use, they are subject to theory deficiency, limited language options, and a lack of food databases, credibility, tailored education, and overall technical quality.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefana Cretu ◽  
Carmen Maria Salavastru

BACKGROUND The Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) is a validated measurement instrument for quality of life evaluation in young patients with acne. The original version was designed in English, and it has been translated to other languages. An adaptation for the Romanian language was lacking. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to evaluate the comprehensibility of the Romanian language adaptation of the CADI in a small sample of patients with acne. METHODS Guided by the team at Cardiff University, we conducted the stages of the standardized translation process—forward translation, the reconciliation of translated versions, back translation, and cognitive debriefing. The cognitive debriefing stage involved applying the CADI to a small sample of patients. This was followed by individual interviews in which each question was discussed. Ethical approval was obtained for the cognitive debriefing stage. We administered this measure as a web-based form. The completion times for each individual question and for the entire survey were automatically recorded. The interviews for assessing comprehensibility and suitability for the Romanian language and culture were also held as live, web-based meetings. RESULTS A total of 7 patients with acne—4 females and 3 males—aged between 19 and 34 years were included. All subjects were native speakers of the Romanian language. They had mild or moderate acne. The mean completion time for the survey was 3.28 minutes. The mean score for the CADI was 5.4286. All participants agreed that the language used in this quality of life measurement instrument was simple, clear, and adequate for their native language. CONCLUSIONS Despite the epidemiologic restrictions against COVID-19, through teledermatology, we achieved cultural adaptation for the CADI in a language that previously lacked a specific tool for assessing quality of life impairment in patients with acne.


2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Maria Carvalho-Pinto ◽  
Ingredy Tavares da Silva ◽  
Lucas Yoshio Kido Navacchia ◽  
Flavia Munhos Granja ◽  
Gustavo Garcia Marques ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: A resolution passed by the government of the Brazilian state of São Paulo established a protocol for requesting free COPD medications, including tiotropium bromide, creating regional authorization centers to evaluate and approve such requests, given the high cost of those medications. Our objective was to analyze the requests received by an authorization center that serves cities in the greater metropolitan area of (the city of) São Paulo between 2011 and 2016. Methods: Data regarding the authorization, return, or rejection of the requests were compiled and analyzed in order to explain those outcomes. Subsequently, the clinical and functional data related to the patients were evaluated. Results: A total of 7,762 requests for dispensing COPD medication were analyzed. Requests related to male patients predominated. Among the corresponding patients, the mean age was 66 years, 12% were smokers, 88% had frequent exacerbations, and 84% had severe/very severe dyspnea. The mean FEV1 was 37.2% of the predicted value. The total number of requests decreased by 24.5% from 2012 to 2013 and was lowest in 2015. Most (65%) of the requests were accepted. The main reasons for the rejection/return of a request were a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio > 0.7, a post-bronchodilator FEV1 > 50% of the predicted value, and failure to provide information regarding previous use of a long-acting β2 agonist. During the study period, the total number of requests returned/rejected decreased slightly, and there was improvement in the quality of the data included on the forms. Conclusions: Here, we have identified the characteristics of the requests for COPD medications and of the corresponding patients per region served by the authorization center analyzed, thus contributing to the improvement of local public health care measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Sultan Al-Ak’hali ◽  
Hytham N. Fageeh ◽  
Esam Halboub ◽  
Mohammed Nasser Alhajj ◽  
Zaihan Ariffin

Abstract Background Currently, the Internet seems to be a helpful tool for obtaining information about everything that we think about, including diseases, their prevention and treatment approaches. However, doubts exist regarding the quality and readability of such information. This study sought to assess the quality and readability of web-based Arabic information on periodontal disease. Methods In this infodemiological study, the Google, Yahoo!, and Bing search engines were searched using specific Arabic terms on periodontal disease. The first 100 consecutive websites from each engine were obtained. The eligible websites were categorized as commercial, health/professional, journalism, and other. The following tools were applied to assess the quality of the information on the included websites: the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and the DISCERN tool. The readability was assessed using an online readability tool. Results Of the 300 websites, 89 were eligible for quality and readability analyses. Only two websites (2.3%) were HONcode certified. Based on the DISCERN tool, 43 (48.3%) websites had low scores. The mean score of the JAMA benchmarks was 1.6 ± 1.0, but only 3 (3.4%) websites achieved “yes” responses for all four JAMA criteria. Based on the DISCERN tool, health/professional websites revealed the highest quality of information compared to other website categories. Most of the health/professional websites revealed moderate-quality information, while 55% of the commercial websites, 66% of journalism websites, and 43% of other websites showed poor quality information. Regarding readability, most of the analyzed websites presented simple and readable written content. Conclusions Aside from readable content, Arabic health information on the analyzed websites on periodontal disease is below the required level of quality.


Author(s):  
B. M. Subraya

For many years, the World Wide Web (Web) functioned quite well without any concern about the quality of performance. The designers of the Web page, as well as the users were not much worried about the performance attributes. The Web, in the initial stages of development, was primarily meant to be an information provider rather than a medium to transact business, into which it has grown. The expectations from the users were also limited only to seek the information available on the Web. Thanks to the ever growing population of Web surfers (now in the millions), information found on the Web underwent a dimensional change in terms of nature, content, and depth.


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